Door-operated pump assembly

ABSTRACT

A door-operated pump assembly may include a housing defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a displacement member arranged to move within the chamber between first and second positions, an actuator coupled to the displacement member, and a door coupled to the actuator. The actuator may be operable to move the displacement member between the first and second positions. The door may be configured to move the displacement member between the first and second positions when the door is moved between a first door position and at least one second door position. The displacement member may be operable to inhale a substance into the chamber through the inlet and to exhale a substance from the chamber through the outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] I. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method forremoving a substance from an enclosure, and more particularly, to adoor-operated pump assembly for removing air or water from an enclosedspace in a temperature-controlled system.

[0003] II. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Over the years, developments in the field of heating and airconditioning have had a profound effect on the efficiency of cooling andheating processes. Designers have continually sought to utilize thethermodynamic energy generated by various components, such asevaporators, compressors, insulation panels, and the like, to improvethe cooling and/or heating process itself. By way of example, the wasteheat generated by a refrigeration system can be used to evaporate thecondensate generated within a refrigerated enclosure.

[0005] In the case of top-mounted refrigeration enclosures, utilizingwaste heat becomes a challenge because condensate tends to collect atthe lowest point of the enclosure, while waste heat tends to be locatedat the highest point of the enclosure. If the condensate can be movedfrom the lowest point to the highest point of the enclosure, then thewaste heat can be used to help evaporate the condensate. One possiblesolution is to use an electro-mechanically driven condensate pumpactuated by a water level sensing switch located where the condensatecollects at the bottom of the enclosure. When the water level switchsenses that condensate has collected above a certain level, then itactuates the condensate pump to transfer condensate to the highest pointof the enclosure.

[0006] The use of electrical switches and pumps, however, isdisadvantageous for a number of reasons. For instance, because suchdevices require a number of complex and fragile working parts, they arerelatively expensive and unreliable. Since these devices also require anadditional power source, they tend to reduce the efficiency of therefrigeration process itself.

[0007] By way of further example, insulation panels are often employedin temperature-controlled enclosures to reduce heat transfer between thecooled or heated space inside the enclosure and the environment.Generally speaking, the efficiency of the temperature control processdepends on how much heat is dissipated to the atmosphere. It is wellrecognized that insulation panel units, for example, reduce heattransfer between the outside and inside of temperature-controlledenclosures, such as vending machines, steam rooms, buildings, or othersimilar structures. One measure of insulating value generally used isthe “U-value.” The U-value is the measure of heat in British ThermalUnits (“BTUs”) passing through a unit per hour (“Hr”)—square foot(“Sq.Ft.”)—degree Fahrenheit (“° F.”). The lower the U-value, the betterthe thermal insulating value of the panel unit, i.e., a higherresistance to heat flow results in less heat conducted through the unit.Another measure of insulating value is the “R-value,” which is theinverse of the U-value. A higher R-value represents a higher heattransfer resistance of an insulating panel unit, and a relativelyefficient system.

[0008] Typically, a vacuum insulation unit having a one-inch thick panelof foam-in-place insulation has an initial R-value of approximatelyseven, and an average R-value valve of approximately 25-35. Over time,however, outside air infiltrates into a space or cavity formed in thevacuum insulation panel. As a result, the R-value of the insulationpanels degrades and the efficiency of the refrigeration systemdecreases. By using exterior film materials with higher barrierproperties and added getters, the negative affects of air infiltrationcan be temporarily diminished. These solutions, however, also sufferfrom a number of disadvantages. For example, the addition of such newmaterials and components increases the cost of manufacturing vacuuminsulation panels, while only providing an effective solution for alimited period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one exemplary aspect of the invention, a door-operated pumpassembly may comprise a housing defining a chamber having an inlet andan outlet, a displacement member arranged to move within the chamberbetween first and second positions, an actuator coupled to thedisplacement member, and a door coupled to the actuator. The actuatormay be operable to move the displacement member between the first andsecond positions. The door may be configured to move the displacementmember between the first and second positions when the door is movedbetween a first door position and at least one second door position. Thedisplacement member may be operable to inhale a substance into thechamber through the inlet and to exhale a substance from the chamberthrough the outlet.

[0010] In another exemplary aspect of the invention, a system fortransferring a substance may comprise an enclosure defining a collectingportion configured to receive a substance, and an inlet connected to thecollecting portion. The system may include a transfer device connectedto the inlet, and the transfer device having a stationary component anda movable component, the stationary component defining a holding portionand the moveable component being configured to move toward a firstdirection when a portion of the substance is drawn into the holdingportion. The system may include an outlet connected to the holdingportion of the transfer device and a discharge portion outside of theenclosure. The outlet may be configured to guide the substance towardthe discharge portion when the moveable component of the transfer devicemoves toward a second direction. The system may also include a doorcoupled to the enclosure and the transfer device so as to move themoveable component of the transfer device between the first and seconddirections.

[0011] In yet another exemplary aspect of the invention, a temperaturecontrol apparatus for a cabinet may comprise a door providing access tothe cabinet. The door may be movable between open and closed positions.The apparatus may include a collection portion that collects a substanceat a first location within the cabinet and a transfer device arranged totransfer the substance from the first location to a second locationoutside of the cabinet in response to movement of the door between theopen and closed positions.

[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are only exemplary,and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. In the drawings,

[0014]FIG. 1 is a front view of a temperature-controlled enclosure ofthe present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 1when the door of the enclosure of the present invention is in the closedposition;

[0016]FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines AA of FIG. 1when the door of the enclosure of the present invention is in an openposition;

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a lower right corner of an enclosure accordingto a second aspect of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of theembodiment of FIG. 3 when the door of the enclosure of the presentinvention is in the closed position;

[0019]FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of theembodiment of FIG. 3 when the door of the enclosure of the presentinvention is in an open position;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a lower right corner of an enclosure according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of theembodiment of FIG. 5 when the door of the enclosure of the presentinvention is in the closed position; and

[0022]FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of theembodiment of FIG. 5 when the door of the enclosure of the presentinvention is in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0024]FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B depict an exemplary embodiment in accordancewith the present invention. The embodiment may include a portabletemperature-controlled storage enclosure 10. As used herein, the term“temperature-controlled enclosure” generally refers to any type ofstructure, such as a cabinet, a housing, a vending machine, a steamroom, a building, or the like, so long as it is capable of housing orsurrounding at least one cooled and/or heated interior space. It shouldbe appreciated that the temperature of the temperature-controlledenclosure may or may not be automatically controlled and/or monitored.Is should further be appreciated that “temperature-controlled” does notimply any degree of accuracy or precision with respect to the controlledtemperature.

[0025] The enclosure 10 may be either modular or monolithic, and mayinclude any number of parts or subassemblies. For example, the inventionis not limited to the portable enclosure 10 illustrated in the drawings.Instead, the temperature-controlled enclosure 10 can be a permanentbuilding structure. An enclosure 10 falling within the scope of theinvention can also be provided by employing virtually any type ofmanufacturing process. The invention is not limited to any particularstep or sequence for providing the features of the claimed invention.The term “provided” is used in its broad sense, and refers to, but isnot limited to, making available for use, enabling usage, giving,supplying, obtaining, getting a hold of, acquiring, purchasing, selling,distributing, possessing, making ready for use and/or placing in aposition ready for use.

[0026] As illustrated, the temperature-controlled enclosure 10 maysurround an interior space 11, and may have three vertically upstandingsidewalls 12, a floor 14, a roof 16, and a door 18. The enclosure 10 mayalso include castors 20 connected to the floor 14 to facilitate theportability of the enclosure 10. The door 18 may include an insulatingpanel unit 24 supported by a frame 26. The door 18 may be pivotallyconnected to one of the sidewalls 12 by a bracket 28 so that it canrotate about a hinge point 30 between a first, closed position (e.g.,FIGS. 1, 2A, 4A, and 6A), and at least one second, open position (e.g.,FIGS. 2B, 4B, and 6B), relative to the enclosure 10. The invention,however, is not limited to the illustrated pivotal connection betweenthe door 18 and the enclosure 19. For example, the door 18 could becoupled to the sidewalls by a track and follower system so as to becapable of sliding between open and closed positions.

[0027] The door panel unit 24, alternatively referred to as aninsulating unit (“IU”), may also have a pair of panels separated by acavity 25. Although the panels are preferably made of glass, any othermaterial can be used so long as the door 18 is capable of enclosing theinterior space 11 of the enclosure 11. The invention is not limited tothe illustrated insulating panel unit 24. For example, each of thesidewalls 12, floor 14, and roof 16 may have similar pairs of panelsseparated by a cavity for providing an insulating structure around theinterior space 11.

[0028] The door 18 may also include a door seal 32 for sealing theinterior space 20 of the enclosure 10 when the door 18 is in the closedposition. The door seal 32 is preferably made of a plastic gasketsubstance, which can provide an airtight seal with the sidewalls of theenclosure when the door 18 is closed. As used herein, the term “door” isused in its broad sense, and generally refers to a gate, wall or othermovable structure that is capable of enclosing an interior space 11.Although the door 18 is illustrated as being separate from the sidewalls12 of the enclosure 10, one or more of the sidewalls 12 could functionas the door 18, so long as it is capable of moving between a closedposition, and one or more open positions relative to the interior space11.

[0029] The interior space 11 of the enclosure 10 may be cooled by aconventional refrigeration system, heated by a conventional heatingapparatus, and/or insulated by conventional insulation units 24. Forexample, a conventional refrigeration system may include a compressor40, a condenser 44, and a fan 46 for drawing outside air through thesystem. The term “condenser” generally refers to any type of device thatcan cause gas or vapor in the air to change into a liquid. The term“compressor” generally refers to any type of machine that can compressair, vapor, or the like. Insulating units 24 typically surround theinterior space 11, and are embedded within the sidewalls 12, a floor 14,a roof 16, and door 18 of the enclosure 10. The invention, however, isnot limited to any particular number of insulation panel units 24.

[0030] The system depicted in the drawings may be referred to as a“top-mounted” refrigeration system because the compressor 40 and thecondenser 44 are mounted to the top of the roof 16 of the enclosure 10.The invention, however, is not limited to any particular type oftemperature-controlled system, so long as it is capable of generatingwaste heat. By way of example, a temperature-controlled system referredto as a “Stirling” refrigeration system could be used. The temperaturecontrol components thus can be mounted at any suitable location, such asupon the sidewalls 12, door 18, or floor 14 of the enclosure 10, so longas they are capable of cooling and/or heating the interior space 11.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the compressor 40 and condenser 44may also be connected by piping (not shown) to an evaporator coil 48suspended from the underside of the roof 16 of the enclosure 10. Theevaporator coil 48 may be positioned above the floor 14 of the enclosure10. The evaporator coil 48 can be located at any suitable location, suchas the sidewalls 12, floor 14, or door 18 of the enclosure 10. Asmoisture from the air in the interior space 11 of the enclosure 10collects on the evaporator coil 48, it may drop and be collected ascondensate on the floor 14 of the enclosure 10. The term “condensate” isused in its broad sense, and generally refers to any fluid or gaseoussubstance. For example, condensation in the form of water droplets orslush is typically produced from a given volume of moisturized airwithin a temperature-controlled enclosure during a refrigerationprocess.

[0032] In an embodiment, the temperature control process may occur whenthe door 18 is closed, and the interior space 11 is insulated from theatmosphere. Each time the door 18 is opened, a fresh volume ofmoisturized air may enter the enclosure 10. When the door 18 is closed,the temperature control process may begin, and condensate may be formedfrom the moisturized air contained in the enclosure 10. Generally, theamount of condensate generated within the enclosure 10 may beproportional to the number of times the door 18 is opened and the amountof moisturized air introduced into the enclosure 10.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the floor 14 has a collectingsurface, alternatively referred to as a “collecting” or “collection”portion, which may be inclined toward a low point 15 for collection ofthe condensate, or any other substance, generated within the interiorspace 11 of the enclosure 10. When a substance, such as condensate,reaches the floor 14, it may be guided toward the low point 15 by thecollecting surface. The term “substance” is used in its broad sense, andgenerally refers any type of liquid or gas. The collecting surface canbe of any shape, so long as it is capable of collecting, accumulating,or guiding a substance within the interior space 11 of the enclosure 10.For example, the collecting surface could be formed into a “bowl” shapehaving a low point 15 near the center of the floor 14. Moreover, theinvention is not limited to a particular number of collecting surfacesor low points 15, so long as a substance within the enclosure 10 can becollected, accumulated, or guided toward at least one low point 15 ofthe floor 14.

[0034] As best illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, an inlet tube50 may be arranged to form a passageway 54 through a sidewall 12 of theenclosure 10. The inlet tube 50 has a first opening 52, which may beconnected to or in communication with the low point 15 of the floor 14,so that substances within the enclosure 10 can be guided toward thepassageway 54. As used herein, the phrases “connected to” and “incommunication with” broadly refer to any kind of structure that iscapable of permitting a substance, such as air or gas, to flow directlyor indirectly between two elements. Although the first opening 52 isillustrated as being directly connected to the low point 15 of the floor14, other elements, such as one or more flow nozzles or guides may beincluded as part of the connection between the first opening 52 and thefloor 14.

[0035] The inlet tube 50 may have a one-way check valve 56 locatedwithin the passageway 54 to prevent substances from flowing back intothe enclosure 10. The term “one-way check valve” is used in its broadsense, and refers to any type of device that can allow a substance toflow through a passageway in only one direction. For example, theone-way check valve 56 can be a flapper-type valve head (not shown) thatis moveable between open and closed positions. In the absence of asuction or vacuum force in the passageway, the flapper valve is biasedtoward the closed position to prevent substances from flowing backtoward the low point 15. On the other hand, when a suction or vacuumforce is created in the passageway, the flapper valve head moves towardthe open position, allowing the substance to flow toward the source ofthe suction or vacuum.

[0036] The passageway 54 of the inlet tube 50 may be connected to a pump60. As used herein, the term “pump” generally refers to any type ofmachine or device for raising, compressing, inhaling, exhaling, orotherwise transferring a substance from one location to another. Thepump 60 may have a housing 62, alternatively referred to as a“stationary” member or component, associated with the enclosure 10. Thephrase “associated with” is used in its broad sense, and generallyrefers to any type of connection, coupling, or mounting between the pumphousing 62 and the enclosure 10. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-B, thepump housing 62 may be mounted close to the low point 15 of the floor 14on an exterior surface of the enclosure 10. The invention, however, isnot limited to any particular location of the pump housing 62, so longas the passageway 54 of the inlet tube 50 is capable of guiding asubstance between the floor 14 and the pump 60. For example, the pump 60can be located at a remote location and one or more extension tubes (notshown) can be used to transfer a substance from the enclosure 10 to thepump 60. The pump housing 62 also may be embedded within a sidewall 12of the enclosure 10 as a unitary structure, or located underneath thefloor 14 of the enclosure 10, as illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS.4A-B and 6A-B.

[0037] The passageway 54 of the inlet tube 50 also may have a secondopening 58 fluidly connected to or in fluid communication with a pumpchamber 64 formed within the pump housing 62. The term “pump chamber”generally refers to an enclosed space or compartment within the pumphousing 62 that is capable of substantially containing, holding, orcollecting a substance drawn through the passageway 54 by the pump 60.In the illustrated embodiment, the passageway 54 extends through thepump housing 62 so that the second opening 58 may be formed at an end 65of the pump chamber 64. The pump housing 62 may be made of any suitablematerial, so long as the pump 60 is capable of drawing a substancethrough the passageway 54 of the inlet tube 50.

[0038] As depicted, an outlet tube 80 may be connected to the pump 60.The outlet tube 80 may have a passageway 84, a first opening 82, whichmay allow a substance to flow from the pump chamber 64 to the passageway84, and a second opening 88. In the illustrated embodiments, thepassageway 84 extends through the pump housing 62 such that the firstopening 82 of the outlet tube 80 may be fluidly connected to or in fluidcommunication with the pump chamber 64 at the same end 65 as the secondopening 58 of the inlet tube 50. The invention, however, is not limitedto any particular kind of structure for connecting the first opening 82of the outlet tube 80 and the second opening 58 of the inlet tube 50 tothe pump chamber 64. For example, either the first opening 82 of theoutlet tube 80, or the second opening 58 of the inlet tube 50 could beformed in a sidewall 67 of the pump chamber 64.

[0039] The outlet tube 80 may have a one-way check valve 86, whichoperates in a similar manner to the check valve 46 of the inlet tube 40.The check valve 86 of the outlet tube 80, however, may prevent asubstance from entering the pump chamber 64 through the passageway 84 ofthe outlet tube 80. When the pump 60 is in a pressurized state, forexample, a substance may be forced toward the first opening 82 of theoutlet tube 80, and the check valve 86 may move to an open position,allowing the substance to flow away from the pump chamber 64. The term“pressurized state” is used in its broad sense, and generally refers towhere the pump 60 exerts a positive force to draw or exhale a substancetoward the first opening 82 and the passageway 84 of the outlet tube 60.On the other hand, when the pump 60 is in a non-pressurized state, thecheck value 86 may move to a closed position, thereby preventing asubstance, such as atmospheric air, from entering the pump chamber 64.The term “non-pressurized state” generally refers to where the pump 60does not exert a positive force toward the first opening 82 of theoutlet tube 60, but instead generates a negative suction force to drawor inhale a substance through the second opening 58 of the inlet tube 50and toward the pump chamber 64.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiments, the pump 60 may include a singleacting piston 66, alternatively referred to as a “displacement member,”a return spring 68, and an actuator 70, 90 connected to the door 18. Thepresent invention, however, is not limited to the illustrated singleacting piston pump 60. For example, several other types of pumps, suchas diaphragm pump, could be used. In an embodiment, the pump chamber 64is cylindrically shaped and the piston 66 is annularly shaped to slidewithin the pump chamber 64. A seal (not shown), for example, and O-ring,may also be included on the periphery of the piston 66 to create anair-tight seal between the piston 66 and the inner surface of the pumpchamber 64.

[0041] The return spring 68, alternatively referred to as a “biasingmember” may be arranged within the pump chamber 64 to bias the piston 66within the pump 60. The actuator 70, 90 may be connected to the piston66 to move it between a retracted position and one or more extendedpositions relative to the pump housing 62. The term “retracted position”refers to the location of the piston 66 when it is relatively close tothe end 65 of the pump chamber 64. The term “extended positions” refersto the positions of the piston 66 when it is moved away from the end 65of the pump chamber 64. In operation, when the piston 66 moves betweenthe retracted position and the extended positions, the pump 60 mayeither inhale a substance from the inlet tube 50 and toward the pumpchamber 64 during an intake stroke, or exhale a substance from the pumpchamber 64 and toward the outlet tube 80 during a discharge stroke.

[0042] The actuator 70, 90 also may be connected to the door 18 of theenclosure 10. In the illustrated embodiments, the actuator 70, 90 isarranged to allow the door 18 to manually operate the pump 60. The term“manual” is used in its broad sense, and generally refers to the use ofa substantially non-electrical device to move the door 18 between theclosed position and the open positions, actuate the actuator 70, 90, andmove the piston 66 between the retracted position and the extendedpositions. In the an embodiment, the pump 60 may be referred to as being“motor-less” because it is actuated solely by the mechanical action ofthe door 18. As the door 18 is manually moved between the closedposition and the open positions, the actuator 70, 90, in turn, operatesthe pump 60 by moving the piston 66 between the retracted and theextended positions. As a result, the manual operation of the door 18 maycause the pump 60 to remove a substance from the enclosure 10, and theamount of substance expelled from the enclosure 10 may be proportionalto the number of times the door 18 is manually operated.

[0043] The invention, however, is not necessarily limited to purelymanual operation of the door 18, actuator 70, 90, and pump 60. Forexample, any type of electrical or electromechanical device could assistin moving the door 18 between the closed position and the openpositions, as well as in operating the actuator 70, 90 and pump 60. Theinvention is also not limited to any particular type of connectionbetween the door 18, actuator 70, 90, and pump 60. Any number orcombination of electro-mechanical linkages may be used, so long as thepump 60 operates in response to the movement of the door 18.

[0044] Moreover, the present invention is not limited to a particulartype of actuator 70, 90. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-B,the pump 60 may be actuated by pushing the actuator 70 toward the piston66. The return spring 68 of the pump 60 may be arranged between the end65 of pump chamber 64 and the piston 66 so as to bias the piston 66toward the extended position. The actuator 70 may extend an actuationrod 72 connected to the piston 66. An end of the actuation rod 72 mayextend outside the pump housing 62. The actuation rod 72 may bepositioned so that it is in the path of an actuation plate 74 mounted onthe door frame 26. When the door 18 opens (i.e., FIG. 2B), a freshvolume of moisturized air may be introduced into the interior space 11of the enclosure 10, while the actuation plate 76 pushes on the end ofthe actuation rod 72. The actuation rod 72, in turn, may push the piston66 toward the retracted position, so as to exhale a substance within thepump chamber 64 toward the outlet tube 80, and compress the returnspring 68 during the discharge stroke. When the door 18 is closed (i.e.,FIG. 2A), the return spring 68 returns the piston 66 toward the extendedposition, and the pump 60 draws or inhales a new volume of substancefrom the inlet tube 50 into the pump chamber 64 during the intakestroke.

[0045] Alternatively, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4A-B, 5, and 6A-B,the pump 60 may be operated by pulling the actuator 90 away from thepiston 66. The return spring 68 of the pump 60 may be arranged betweenthe end 59 of pump chamber 64 and the piston 66 so as to bias the piston66 toward the retracted position. The actuator 90 may have an actuationcable 92 connected to the piston 66. One end of the actuation cable 92may extend outside the pump housing 62 and be attached to an attachmentpin 94 connected to the door frame 26. A slotted cable guide wheel 96may be mounted to the bottom of the bracket 28 of the door 18. The guidewheel 96 may have a curved portion that allows the cable 92 to bewrapped and unwrapped from around the guide wheel 96 when the door 18 ismoved between the closed position and the open positions.

[0046] In operation, when the door 18 is opened, the pump 60, guidewheel 96, and attachment pin 94, may be positioned so that the cable 92extends from the pin 94, tangentially approaches the guide wheel 96,wraps around the guide wheel 96 for a variable angular distance, andextends tangentially from the guide wheel 96 to the piston 66. The angleof wrap around the guide wheel 96 is approximately equal to the angle atwhich the door 18 is opened. For example, when the door 18 is closed,the cable 92 may wrap around the guide wheel 96 for an angular distanceof approximately 0 degrees. On the other hand, when the door 18 isopened to form a 90 degree angle relative to the closed position, thecable 92 may wrap around the guide wheel 96 for an angular distance ofapproximately 90 degrees. As the cable 92 wraps around the guide wheel96, the piston 66 may be pulled toward the extended position, drawing orinhaling in a new volume of substance from the inlet tube 50 into thepump chamber 64, and compressing the return spring 68 during the intakestroke. When the door 18 is moved back toward the closed position, thecable 92 may unwrap from the guide wheel 96, and the return spring 68may return the piston 66 toward the retracted position, to exhale thesubstance from the pump chamber 64 and toward the outlet tube 80 duringthe discharge stroke.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, the second opening88 of outlet tube 80 may be arranged to dispense a substance exhaled bythe pump 60 toward a pan 42, alternatively referred to as a “condensate”pan, mounted on top of the enclosure 10. Although the pan 42 isillustrated as being located upon the compressor 40, it can be placed atany suitable location, so long as the waste heat generated by thetemperature-controlled system is directed toward the pan 42. Preferably,waste heat is used to help evaporate condensate exhaled from theenclosure 10 by the pump 60 based on the manual operation of the door18.

[0048] Alternatively, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6A-B, the secondopening 88 of outlet tube 80 may be used to dispense air to the outsideof the enclosure 10. As illustrated, the cavity 25 of the insulatingunit 24 may be filled with vacuum insulation material. The inlet tube 50may be arranged to form a passageway 54 through the enclosure 10. Thefirst opening 52 of the inlet tube 50 may be fluidly connected to or influid communication with the cavity 25 so that air or liquid within thecavity 25 can be guided through the passageway 54. Although the firstopening 52 is illustrated as being directly connected to the cavity 25,other elements, such a flow nozzle or a guide can be included as part ofthe connection between the first opening 52 and the cavity 25. Thesecond opening 58 of inlet tube 50 may be connected, in turn, to thepump chamber 64. The first opening 82 of outlet tube 80 also may beconnected to the pump chamber 64, so that a substance, such as air,within the cavity 25 can be expelled through the second opening 88. Theone-way check value 86 of outlet tube 80 may be arranged to prevent airfrom flowing back into the pump chamber 64 when the pump 60 operates toinhale air through the inlet tube 50. Similarly, the one-way check valve56 of inlet tube 50 may be arranged to prevent air from flowing backinto the cavity 25 when the pump 60 operates to expel air through theoutlet tube 80. In operation, when the door 18 is opened, the door 18may allow substances, such as air or water, to enter into the enclosure10, while simultaneously operating the pump 60 to continuously removethe substances themselves, when it is moved between the closed positionand the open positions.

[0049] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specificationand examples be considered as exemplary only. Thus, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the illustrativeexamples in this specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A door-operated pump assembly, comprising: ahousing defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a displacementmember arranged to move within the chamber between first and secondpositions; an actuator coupled to the displacement member, the actuatorbeing operable to move the displacement member between the first andsecond positions; a door coupled to the actuator, the door beingconfigured to move the displacement member between the first and secondpositions when the door is moved between a first door position and atleast one second door position; and wherein the displacement member isoperable to inhale a substance into the chamber through the inlet and toexhale a substance from the chamber through the outlet.
 2. The pumpassembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement member comprises a piston.3. The pump assembly of claim 1, further comprising a biasing devicearranged to bias the displacement member toward the first position. 4.The pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is associated with anenclosure including at least one wall defining an interior space, andwherein the door is arranged to pivot relative to the wall.
 5. Atemperature-controlled assembly, comprising: the pump assembly of claim1; an enclosure associated with the pump assembly, the enclosureincluding at least one wall defining an interior space, the door beingarranged to pivot relative to the wall; a plurality of temperaturecontrol components arranged to control the temperature of the interiorspace of the enclosure and to dispense waste heat toward a condensatepan outside of the enclosure; and a collection portion that collectscondensate generated inside the enclosure by the plurality oftemperature control components.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein thecollection portion comprises an inclined surface of the enclosure, theinlet of the chamber being arranged to receive condensate collected at alower portion of the inclined surface, and the outlet of the chamberbeing arranged to direct condensate toward the condensate pan.
 7. Thepump assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet of the chamber is connectedto an insulation cavity, and the chamber, the displacement member, andthe door are arranged to transfer a substance away from the insulationcavity when the door is moved between the first and second doorpositions.
 8. The pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuatorincludes a rod connected to the displacement member, and the doorincludes an actuation plate arranged to engage the rod when the doormoves away from the first door position.
 9. The pump assembly of claim1, wherein the door includes a guide wheel, and the actuator comprisesan actuation cable arranged to engage the guide wheel when the doormoves away from the first door position.
 10. A system for transferring asubstance, comprising: an enclosure defining a collecting portion thatcollects a substance; an inlet connected to the collecting portion; atransfer device connected to the inlet, and the transfer device having astationary component and a moveable component, the stationary componentdefining a holding portion and the moveable component being configuredto move toward a first direction when a portion of the substance isdrawn into the holding portion; an outlet connected to the holdingportion of the transfer device and a discharge portion outside of theenclosure, the outlet being configured to guide a portion of thesubstance toward the discharge portion when the moveable component ofthe transfer device moves toward a second direction; and a door coupledto the enclosure and the transfer device so as to move the moveablecomponent of the transfer device between the first and seconddirections.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the enclosure comprisesan air conditioning device arranged to generate condensate in thecollecting portion and to direct heated air to evaporate condensateguided toward the discharge portion.
 12. A temperature control apparatusfor a cabinet, comprising: a door providing access to the cabinet, thedoor being movable between open and closed positions; a collectionportion that collects a substance at a first location within thecabinet; and a transfer device arranged to transfer the substance fromthe first location to a second location outside of the cabinet inresponse to movement of the door between the open and closed positions.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the transfer device comprises apump actuated by the movement of the door.
 14. The apparatus of claim13, wherein the pump is a mechanical pump having a displacement memberarranged to be moveable along an intake stroke and a discharge strokesuch that a substance can be drawn into the pump from the first locationduring the intake stroke and output therefrom to the second locationduring the discharge stroke.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein thepump has a displacement volume greater than a volume of substancecollectable at the first location in response to a single opening andclosing cycle of the door to thereby transfer substantially all of thevolume of substance from the first location to the second locationduring each opening and closing cycle of the door.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the collection portion collects a volume ofcondensate, and the pump is arranged to displace at least a portion ofthe volume of condensate collected toward the second location when thedoor is moved between the open and closed positions.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16, further comprising a source of waste heat from thetemperature control apparatus accumulatable at the second location toevaporate the condensate displaced by the pump.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the pump has a displacement member configured to movealong an intake stroke and a discharge stroke when the door is movedbetween the open and closed positions.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the door comprises a movable wall of an enclosure defined by thecabinet.
 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the collection portioncomprises an insulation cavity, and the transfer device comprises adisplacement member configured to move along an intake stroke and adischarge stroke such that air can be drawn out of the insulation cavityand into the transfer device during the intake stroke and output fromthe transfer device during the discharge stroke.